In February, several media outlets published reports about a couple that is suing the man’s former employer for alleged safety violations at the electronics recycling plant he once worked. According to recent articles, the father and his two young children were found to have elevated lead levels in their blood after mysterious health issues in the youngest child resulted in medical tests.

A lead risk assessment was conducted of the family’s home and although no lead-based paints were found, lead was detected in dust in the home. It was then realized that the father was likely bringing lead home from his job as contaminated dusts on his body, hair and clothes.

The plant where the man worked specialized in salvaging glass cathode-ray tubes from old televisions and computer monitors. Workers reportedly were not trained about lead hazards or personal protective equipment and wore their street clothes on the job. Dust and debris that settled on their clothing and person could easily make its way into workers’ homes after a day on the job. This case shows how easily parents can bring toxic lead dust into their homes from their work environment if the proper health and safety protocols are not put in place.

“While many people recognize lead hazards in older homes and buildings, fewer often recognize risks they may face in the work environment and how that could impact their home environments,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Lead fumes and dusts are a serious potential threat to workers and their families if they are not educated about the hazards and provided the necessary tools to prevent exposure risks. The only way to prevent lead poisoning is to prevent exposure. At EMSL, we offer lead testing services, sampling supplies and even consumer test kits to identify environmental lead hazards to protect both workers and their families.”

EMSL also recently sponsored an online video about lead exposure risks in the work environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/9Xcns9ZY_bo.

To learn more about lead or other indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com . EMSL’s Lead in Paint & Dust Test Kit and Drinking Water Test Kit can be found at www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.